A day in the life of a Shetland owner...

Before I get into the day-to-day of what it's like owning a Shetland pony, I want to introduce you to Benny - my mini Shetland who kind of landed in my life when I wasn’t even looking.

After losing my mare, Mia, this little guy kept appearing on my Facebook feed. Eventually, I gave in to the nudge from the universe and messaged his owner. To my delight, she responded quickly and said she’d love for me to have him.

His original name was Finn, but the moment I looked at him, I knew he was a Benny. 

So now I have Lenny and Benny.

Benny is pure joy. He’s always smiling, metaphorically speaking, and it’s impossible to stay in a bad mood when he’s around.

A CHILDHOOD DREAM COME TRUE

I’ve always dreamed of having a Shetland pony. When I was a kid, I used to ride one named Bubbles. Our partnership wasn’t exactly fairytale material, but she taught me a lot. Growing up in suburban London meant a pony in the garden wasn’t realistic, but I never stopped dreaming.

Fast-forward to age 46, and Benny entered my life. He’s everything I could have wished for. He’s tiny, just 90 cm's tall and weighing about 130 kg's but packed with personality. He’s fiercely independent, having spent the first years of his life fending for himself, and he grows the thickest winter coat imaginable. When I first brought him home, we had a few health issues to sort out, and his independent nature meant our relationship took a while to develop.

BUILDING A CONNECTION

It took time to earn Benny’s trust. I had to learn his language plus his fav scratches, mutual walks, shared curiosity and eventually, he warmed to me. 

Today, he works 2–4 days a week in short max 20 minute sessions. He’s a quick learner with a hilarious sense of timing, especially in trick training.

Right now, we’re working on going from a lay-down to a sit. If I even think the word “down,” he’ll flop over and wait patiently for his treat. He thrives on positive reinforcement, and we’ve dabbled in everything from Spanish steps to academic groundwork. Benny’s attention span is about five seconds, so keeping him entertained and feeling successful is also the key to our training.

SMALL HOOVES, BIG CHARACTER

Every time I pick up one of his tiny hooves, I can’t help but giggle. He’s just that adorable. And then there’s his love for football, yes, football. Watching him play is pure comedy gold.

In contrast to Mia, who was 16.3 hands and whom was way more introverted, Benny is a bundle of energy. He makes me laugh daily and, perhaps on a subconscious level, came into my life to bring balance.

THE SHETLAND STEREOTYPE

Now, let’s talk about what it’s really like being a Shetland owner.

There’s a reason they’re cheekily nicknamed “Shitlanders.” If you don’t have clear leadership or a solid plan, they will outwit you. Benny is the best teacher for rope and stick skills because he demands your focus and clarity.

Despite the challenges, these ponies are often full of joy, and you can see they’re loving life. The key is discussion, not domination and coming out of it with both of us feeling like we won.

SMALL BUT MIGHTY: HOW OTHER HORSES REACT

Benny is cream-coloured and the same size as the sheep at our yard. I often joke that maybe the other horses mistake him for one, because many are scared of him. His colour definitely adds to the confusion where white and cream shades are harder for horses to process visually.

I encounter this almost daily. Whether I’m walking him to the barn or passing horses on a trail, they often spook. Sometimes I adjust our path to help riders out, but honestly, it depends on their attitude. I’ve had people politely ask me to stop and others scream at me with full-blown panic.

It baffles me sometimes. If you can’t handle your horse reacting to a tiny pony on home turf, what will you do out on a trail?

HE’S NOT A TOY

People sometimes forget that, although he’s little, Benny is still a horse. I’ve had children run up behind him while he’s eating, wanting to cuddle his bum. It’s cute but dangerous. A startled pony can kick, and Benny is no exception.

I don’t consider him a kids' pony. His attitude is strong and would push most children around unless they were really skilled in horsemanship. That said, he's had four kids on his back, including my niece, but only after some careful re-starting and preparation.

HE’S A UNICORN IN HIS OWN MIND

I always tell people Benny believes he’s a unicorn and at least three metres tall. He loves being admired, and most people who meet him fall in love. But within the first month of owning him, I had four different people say something along the lines of, “Why do you have that thing?”

That hurts. He’s not a “thing.” He’s a sentient being, and he matters just as much as any other horse. Fortunately and just like me, for every one of those people, there are twenty more who adore him.

A DANGER MAGNET… THROUGH NO FAULT OF HIS OWN

Benny attracts attention both welcome and some not. I have to be vigilant. Horses will either shy away from him or drag their humans over to investigate. When this happens, especially while he’s tied, it creates a risk. Horses meeting nose-to-nose often strike with a foreleg. If Benny got hit in the face, it could be catastrophic.

One time, while I was braiding his mane, someone’s horse  came up behind us out of my vision, within a few seconds the 16hh + horse squealed and struck out with a foreleg, grazing my spine. The owner had absolutely no control, it all happened so quick and I was nearly very badly injured. I shouldn’t have to say this, but if you own a horse, you need to understand their body language and reactions especially in situations like this. Never say never around horses, because it has no place. And if you can believe it was already by somebody whom I had given a good, fair and clear warning to not come too close. They completely ignored my wishes previously telling me that their horse never strikes and bobs your uncle to prove me wrong, they almost got my back broken.

ALWAYS ON ALERT

When I go away and someone else cares for Benny, I have to give them a full briefing: keep eyes in the back of your head, be extra cautious, and don’t let horses get too close. Not because Benny is dangerous, but because others often don’t respect his space.

Despite it all, Benny is my dream come true. I tell him every day how beautiful, sweet, and magical he is. He’s not just a pony, he’s part of my heart.

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